French forward Raphael Ibanez believes tomorrow's big semi-final will be played with "enormous intensity" by both sides.

The former France skipper, who will join Saracens after the tournament, says France have put in just as much preparation and hard work as England and aren't about to throw it all away with an indisciplined show.

France are bidding to reach their third World Cup final, having lost against New Zealand in 1987 and Australia four years ago.

Current form suggests they have all the ammunition required to destroy England's World Cup dream, with 30-year-old hooker Ibanez a key influence on a side packed full of experience and uninhibited attackers.

"We know it will be a big event for both teams," he said. "The English have planned for this game for four years, and so have we.

"I have no doubt that England will be ready.

"There will be enormous intensity, and technically, it will be very important to be physical.

"It is one of England's best qualities, their physicality, but it is not so much that you cannot match them."

Ibanez has featured in seven Tests against England, winning three and losing four, and that experience is priceless for a French outfit who genuinely believe 2003 could be their year.

He added: "We have worked a lot on things like our discipline and you just have to watch our games since then to notice it."

As for England, Ibanez added: "Perhaps they have had their difficulties in this competition, but they always win their games.

"They won in New Zealand this year, they won in Australia, and they are winning in this tournament."

If England are to triumph though, then they must subdue a powerful French pack and prevent Les Bleus' gifted back division from cutting loose.